As regular readers may have deduced, I am a big fan of the television show, Gunsmoke... especially the earlier -- and much grittier -- black and white episodes. So, it was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Dennis Weaver.

Mr. Weaver superbly played Chester Goode, Marshal Dillon's simple, yet honest and loyal, assistant. The media mistakenly reports that Chester was Marshal Dillon's deputy; this is not true. Chester was never deputized and typically did not carry a gun. He simply helped the marshal and was his friend... not a deputy.

Dennis Weaver went on to a very successful TV and movie career, and I enjoyed watching him introduce movies on the Western Channel.

Here is a signed photo (as Chester) I obtained directly from Dennis Weaver several years ago.